What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Illinois
Hi, I live in Illinois and a collection agency (Blitt & Gaines, who I will now refer to as "BG") is trying to collect. I called BG to begin negotiations on this matter, and their automated phone greeting informed that my call would be recorded "for quality assurance purposes." When the rep answered, the conversation went something like this:
Me: You're recording this call, right?
BG: Yes.
Me: Ok, well I just want you to know that I'm recording it also.
BG: I am terminating this call because I did not give you permission to record.
Me: But you're recording it, too.
BG: Yes, but we're a company.
Me: So you can record the call, but I can't? Can you please give me permission to record this call?
BG: No, that's our policy. I don't make the rules.
Me: Can you email me then? I want to talk about my debt.
BG: I have to terminate this call.
Me: Can you please email me?
BG: You'll have to call back without recording.
Side note: I had already tried to email BG but they apparently won't communicate that way.
I'm just wondering how this is legal? They can record me "because (they're) a company" but I'm not allowed to record the very same conversation at the same time?
Also, does this do anything for me in terms of negotiation, or do I simply have to play by their rules?
Thank you in advance!
Matthew
Hi, I live in Illinois and a collection agency (Blitt & Gaines, who I will now refer to as "BG") is trying to collect. I called BG to begin negotiations on this matter, and their automated phone greeting informed that my call would be recorded "for quality assurance purposes." When the rep answered, the conversation went something like this:
Me: You're recording this call, right?
BG: Yes.
Me: Ok, well I just want you to know that I'm recording it also.
BG: I am terminating this call because I did not give you permission to record.
Me: But you're recording it, too.
BG: Yes, but we're a company.
Me: So you can record the call, but I can't? Can you please give me permission to record this call?
BG: No, that's our policy. I don't make the rules.
Me: Can you email me then? I want to talk about my debt.
BG: I have to terminate this call.
Me: Can you please email me?
BG: You'll have to call back without recording.
Side note: I had already tried to email BG but they apparently won't communicate that way.
I'm just wondering how this is legal? They can record me "because (they're) a company" but I'm not allowed to record the very same conversation at the same time?
Also, does this do anything for me in terms of negotiation, or do I simply have to play by their rules?
Thank you in advance!
Matthew